Overview

A cruise on the Hudson River can mean a trip to see the Statue of Liberty and the skyscrapers of Manhattan from an unmatched vantage point, or a serene voyage through the countryside of New York State. On a sightseeing cruise, look for maritime landmarks including seven preserved historic lighthouses along the river. Sunset cruises and fall foliage cruises both make an especially picturesque journey.

Hudson River Cruises

Hudson River Cruises (hudsonrivercruises.com) depart from Kingston, a city at the heart of the Hudson Valley in New York. The cruise boat, the Rip Van Winkle, takes you along the Hudson River to see historic lighthouses, turn-of-the-century riverfront mansions, the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, the picturesque Esopus Meadows and the castle-like seminary of Mount St. Alphonsus. During the two-hour journey, learn about the wealthy former inhabitants of some of the largest riverside mansions, including John Astor, who was America's wealthiest man at the time of his death on the Titanic; and the Vanderbilt family, whose 54-room mansion was built in 1898. The river cruise is especially scenic in fall when a special Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise is available.

Hudson Highlands Cruises

Hudson Highlands Cruises (commanderboat.com) offers a variety of Hudson River cruises on the M/V Commander, a historic vessel built in 1917 that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cruises are available from May to October with three ports of departure -- Haverstraw, West Point and Peekskill. Five different itineraries are available from Haverstraw Marina, including daylong weekday cruises, two-hour weekend cruises and two-hour sunset cruises. The Moonlight Music evening cruise lasts three hours and includes dinner and music played by a DJ as you cruise northward up the Hudson. The Stony Point Lighthouse cruise showcases the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson with informative narration. Cruises from West Point Dock journey through the gorge of Storm King Mountain and Breakneck Ridge to Bannerman Island. Departures from Peekskill are offered on the last Saturday of each month, last three hours and take you toward West Point, past the Fort Montgomery Battle Site and Highland Falls.

Hudson River Adventures’ Pride of the Hudson

Hudson River Adventures (prideofthehudson.com) presents narrated sightseeing cruises on the Pride of the Hudson riverboat from May to October. The two-hour cruises depart from Newburgh and showcase the scenery and landmarks of the Hudson Highlands, such as Bannerman Island, Mount Beacon and the Catskill Aqueduct. You will also pass Storm King Mountain, Breakneck Mountain and West Point. A full bar and snacks are available on board. Hudson River Adventures also offers sunset cruises which include music and cocktails to enjoy while you watch the sun go down over the Hudson.

About the Author

A writer of diverse interests, Joanne Thomas has penned pieces about road trips for Hyundai, children's craft projects for Disney and wine cocktails for Robert Mondavi. She has lived on three continents and currently resides in Los Angeles, where she is co-owner and editor of a weekly newspaper. Thomas holds a BSc in politics from the University of Bristol, England.

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